Friday, July 30, 2010

A Cool Ride At the Jamboree

We are five days into our Jamboree adventure. Sorry for the long delay on entries. Getting Internet coverage in camp was not possible so we have found a link up in the staff dining hall.

We ended DC on a whirlwind of activity by patrol. The National Archives, Air & Space Museum, the monuments (Lincoln, Vietnam, Korea, WWII) were high on everyone's list. There was a huge storm for about 15 minutes while we were on the mall, all made it to safety in some Smithsonian museum. The 1632 Shark patrol even took in the National Art Museum! Another group went out that evening to view the monuments at night. The metro was a quick and fun way to get around the city and we made full use of every hour. When we did rest at the hotel the indoor/outdoor pool was a favorite and the rooms were fantastic.

Monday came and we were off to the Jamboree! After a few hours we were dropped off at our front door to the 1632/33 campsite and had our first kiosk lunch. Unloading the big truck was a breeze with all 14 troops helping everyone. The weather has been fantastic! Highs in the 80's and 90's and low's in the low 60's. Right now it is a beautiful Spring day for Texas, but it is July 30th in Virginia!

Tuesday was a day for Scouts to explore their new camp home. Everyone was shooed out of the campsite and hit the action centers. The Southern Region entertainment stage had the Baltimore Raven Cheerleaders, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Sgt Slaughter from WWE wrestling and more. Joe Hartmann and friends did the ultimate and explored every road and trail via bus shuttle and feet. Others took on swimming, shotgun, kayaking, and merit badge midway.

Wednesday was the opening show. We saw Secretary Robert Gates, Miss America, The Governor of Virginia, Skydivers, flyovers, the National OA Chief, and the National Chief Scout Executive and Commissioner along with music entertainment. Big plus and troop alert!!!! Both troops will be in the final Show Saturday on stage with Sergei Larson Co-hosting and Nick Bell playing a big part too. There is a webcast of the show check it out on bsajamboree.org The Scouts are working with Robby. Robby is the head choreographer for Walt Disney - all of Walt Disney - all the parades, shows, all the entertainment Walt Disney does goes through him.

Thursday was another day for Jamboree Activities after a morning rehearsal at the arena show. Some troop members participated in getting their CPR/AED certification as part of a world record for most certifications in one day. There is the Venturing area with climbing in a mine and an old west town, the OA Indian Village is a big hit and the Mysterium Compass Vault is popular with its air-conditioning.

Today is Friday and more sites and activities. There is so much to see at Jamboree we will not get to see it all. Tonight is an OA Call Out and Brotherhood for many members of both troops. Patch trading is HUGE with our roads covered in youth traders. It is a great way to meet new people from across American and with Scouts from 29 other countries.

After this blog entry Harry will download more pictures from both troops on our www.flickr.com website. More to come now we have a great link to the net!

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